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songwind's review against another edition
3.0
Cold Copper Tears was a fun read from cover to cover.
The story is a pretty basic one, and would be familiar to any fan of hard-boiled detected novels. The damsel in distress comes to our hero with a job. He takes it, and soon finds himself in over his head. Through a combination of pluck, luck, smarts and good friends, he makes it through to the end.
I gave this novel a 3 rather than a 4 because I felt that there were some problems with it. First, the novel spends a lot of time in Garrett's head rather than out [b:getting things done|1633|Getting Things Done The Art of Stress-Free Productivity|David Allen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1158299716s/1633.jpg|5759]. That's nice to a certain extent, but I felt like Cook took it a little too far with this one. I also would like to have seen more of his interactions with his friends.
Second, too many things that happened were just events that happened to the hero, rather than things that happened as a result of his actions. It's nice for events to at least be related to the main character, good or bad.
Thirdly, Cook worked too hard to sell Garrett as conflicted between his natures as knight-in-rusted-armor and lech. Rather than coming off as a flawed hero, or as truly conflicted, the character whipsawed back and forth between the two, seeming to be completely ruled by one or the other, whichever was most convenient at the time. It made him a bit difficult to believe.
The story is a pretty basic one, and would be familiar to any fan of hard-boiled detected novels. The damsel in distress comes to our hero with a job. He takes it, and soon finds himself in over his head. Through a combination of pluck, luck, smarts and good friends, he makes it through to the end.
I gave this novel a 3 rather than a 4 because I felt that there were some problems with it. First, the novel spends a lot of time in Garrett's head rather than out [b:getting things done|1633|Getting Things Done The Art of Stress-Free Productivity|David Allen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1158299716s/1633.jpg|5759]. That's nice to a certain extent, but I felt like Cook took it a little too far with this one. I also would like to have seen more of his interactions with his friends.
Second, too many things that happened were just events that happened to the hero, rather than things that happened as a result of his actions. It's nice for events to at least be related to the main character, good or bad.
Thirdly, Cook worked too hard to sell Garrett as conflicted between his natures as knight-in-rusted-armor and lech. Rather than coming off as a flawed hero, or as truly conflicted, the character whipsawed back and forth between the two, seeming to be completely ruled by one or the other, whichever was most convenient at the time. It made him a bit difficult to believe.
grosejon's review against another edition
4.0
This was another good entry in the Garrett Files series. I enjoyed the writing, and the story was nicely wrapped up at the end. One problem I can think of, which maybe I just missed the explanation, is that it’s never explained why the acolytes are neutered. Other than that, I can’t think of anything I disliked about the book.
satwood01's review against another edition
1.0
I kinda enjoyed the first two Garrett books, but this one, Whew. I think I'm done with this series. two reasons:
1. I loathe when characters (or even real people, for that matter) speak of themselves in the third person. I don't know why, but I hate it.
2. The protagonist is a sexist dullard who preaches through the first half of the book about his protector instinct, brushes off the advances of an 18 year old who he constantly refers to a kid, or a child - then he ends up sleeping with her anyway because she "brought the heat." It kind of made me despise the guy we're supposed to be rooting for.
Also, the story was hardly there.
What a stupid book.
1. I loathe when characters (or even real people, for that matter) speak of themselves in the third person. I don't know why, but I hate it.
2. The protagonist is a sexist dullard who preaches through the first half of the book about his protector instinct, brushes off the advances of an 18 year old who he constantly refers to a kid, or a child - then he ends up sleeping with her anyway because she "brought the heat." It kind of made me despise the guy we're supposed to be rooting for.
Also, the story was hardly there.
What a stupid book.
disastrouspenguin's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of confusing and not as interesting as it wanted to be. I can't remember anything specific since I didn't write this review right away.
antonism's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 / 5
Cold Copper Tears is the 3rd novel of the Garrett P.I. series, written by Glen Cook. It is a fantasy mystery detective novel in a world full of strange creatures and magic but based on a urban world similar to ours.
As with the previous novels in the series, the main protagonist is Garrett who is a reckless and witty hard-boiled detective, and a group of secondary characters who have appeared in all of his books until now. As was expected, the plot in Cold Copper Tears was quite complex and obscure at the beginning, apparently having two independent threads that connect by the last third of the book. I think the plot was interesting and kept my interest and attention all the way through, even if around the mid-point I felt there were some small gaps and little confusion.
The characters are well made and defined. I think the important thing in characterization is to match a character's described personality with his actions and Cook doesn't put a foot wrong. They are quite diverse too and interesting to follow.
I also believe his writing style is adequate for this type of novel. It's quick, easy-flowing and witty, with lots of humor and satire. Cook is an experienced writer and it shows. The pace is very fast in this novel, even depicted on the fact that the protagonist hardly manages to get any sleep throughout his adventure!
The main problem I had with this novel, as I did with his previous ones, is his portrayal of the female characters. I understand that this is like that because it's "supposed" to be like that, you know, this type of character and this type of book but even if I suspend my taking offense, it still tires and annoys me sometimes. What do I mean? In Garrett's adventures, women are there either to manipulate or to seduce/be seduced, and Garrett of course accomodates that all the time. In this book, how Garrett ogles and craves Jill is just childish and how he treats and what he does with Maya is just cringy and disgusting.
Finally, I deducted another half-point for the abrupt ending. It was as if Cook realized he passed over the limit of words or pages and said "forget that, let's just finish the book in 5 pages". Yeah, the ending is kinda like that.
But in all, it's an enjoyable read. If you've read the previous two then it's worth continuing with this series. Personally, I'm getting a bit tired with some repeating patterns and his characterization of females so I can not promise I will continue with the whole series, but I can always give the next one a chance.
3.5 / 5
Cold Copper Tears is the 3rd novel of the Garrett P.I. series, written by Glen Cook. It is a fantasy mystery detective novel in a world full of strange creatures and magic but based on a urban world similar to ours.
As with the previous novels in the series, the main protagonist is Garrett who is a reckless and witty hard-boiled detective, and a group of secondary characters who have appeared in all of his books until now. As was expected, the plot in Cold Copper Tears was quite complex and obscure at the beginning, apparently having two independent threads that connect by the last third of the book. I think the plot was interesting and kept my interest and attention all the way through, even if around the mid-point I felt there were some small gaps and little confusion.
The characters are well made and defined. I think the important thing in characterization is to match a character's described personality with his actions and Cook doesn't put a foot wrong. They are quite diverse too and interesting to follow.
I also believe his writing style is adequate for this type of novel. It's quick, easy-flowing and witty, with lots of humor and satire. Cook is an experienced writer and it shows. The pace is very fast in this novel, even depicted on the fact that the protagonist hardly manages to get any sleep throughout his adventure!
The main problem I had with this novel, as I did with his previous ones, is his portrayal of the female characters. I understand that this is like that because it's "supposed" to be like that, you know, this type of character and this type of book but even if I suspend my taking offense, it still tires and annoys me sometimes. What do I mean? In Garrett's adventures, women are there either to manipulate or to seduce/be seduced, and Garrett of course accomodates that all the time. In this book, how Garrett ogles and craves Jill is just childish and how he treats and what he does with Maya is just cringy and disgusting.
Finally, I deducted another half-point for the abrupt ending. It was as if Cook realized he passed over the limit of words or pages and said "forget that, let's just finish the book in 5 pages". Yeah, the ending is kinda like that.
But in all, it's an enjoyable read. If you've read the previous two then it's worth continuing with this series. Personally, I'm getting a bit tired with some repeating patterns and his characterization of females so I can not promise I will continue with the whole series, but I can always give the next one a chance.
3.5 / 5
peapod_boston's review against another edition
4.0
Another fine outing from Cook. Doesn't stand out from the earlier books in any particular way, but if you enjoyed them, you'll enjoy this.
nillovna's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
voeggroll's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I started out of order as this is the 3rd Garrett book, but I didn't feel terribly out of place.
The setting of TunFaire is truly magical, in the sens that creatures of magic live there alongside humans as peaceably as possible.
Garrett is semi-curmudgeon that has a voice that reminds me faintly of Croaker from Cook's Black Company series.
Aside from the occasional sexism (Garret's "favorite sport is woman"), the book is filled with colorful characters that wouldn't be remotely out of place in any fantasy or detective novel.
The setting of TunFaire is truly magical, in the sens that creatures of magic live there alongside humans as peaceably as possible.
Garrett is semi-curmudgeon that has a voice that reminds me faintly of Croaker from Cook's Black Company series.
Aside from the occasional sexism (Garret's "favorite sport is woman"), the book is filled with colorful characters that wouldn't be remotely out of place in any fantasy or detective novel.